DAILY DIRT: What you can — or can’t — get with a $10 bill over the years has changed

There’s nothing wrong with Netflix and similar offerings, but I miss those hours spent at Blockbuster looking through the new releases … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,033 of The Daily Dirt.

1. On Saturday, I made a quick run to the neighborhood supermarket for a few last-minute provisions.

After all, it was the weekend, a major part of the snack week.

When I went to grab my favorite carbonated soft drink, it struck me how high the price of my beverage had risen in recent months.

“I can remember back in the day when this only cost (fill in the blank),” I said to myself.

I’m sure we’ve all been having that same conversation with ourselves countless times — no matter what age bracket you fall in. By the time I returned home, I was still thinking about the cost of that soda pop — not to mention about a dozen other things I bought along with the weekend snacks.

As soon as the groceries were put away (including all snacks in the mancave), I started to do research on the cost of things through the years. My common denominator was a $10 bill. Here are some of the findings:

• In 2012, $10 would have bought three months worth of Netflix.
• In 2003, two supersized meals from McDonald’s could have been purchased for that Alexander Hamilton. 
• In 1996, two new CDs could have been yours for $10. Presumably one would have been “Rod Stewart’s Greatest Hits.”
• In 1988, you could have rented 15 movies (remember spending an hour at Blockbuster trying to pick out a couple of movies for the weekend?) for $10.
• In 1980, that $10-dollar bill would have gotten you 30 gallons of gasoline.  
• In 1972, the year I graduated from high school, I remember being able to buy three new (vinyl) albums for $10. I can assure you, at least one of those LPs would have featured Sir Rod Stewart.
• In 1964, 10 bucks would have paid for eight movie tickets.
• In 1956, that 10-spot would have bought you 84 loaves of bread.

On Saturday, that $10 bill got me 12 cans of Vanilla Coke and 5 ounces of potato salad. 

2. Did you know (Part 95):

• MLB is officially considering enacting a new rule for 2025 that would require starting pitchers to go at least six innings unless they reach the 100-pitch mark, give up four or more earned runs or they’re injured. To guard against faking an injury, if he would have to leave the game due to “injury” he would be required to go on the IL.
• There are so many restaurants in New York City, you could visit a different one each day for 12 years and still not have visited them all. 
• 100-year-old people are now more common than 4-year-old mice.
• The entire state of Wyoming has two escalators.
• The role of Capt. Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” was turned down by Jim Carrey, who chose the lead role in “Bruce Almighty” instead. Johnny Depp will be forever grateful for Carrey’s decision.

3. I’ve put together an updated list of the oldest living rock and roll legends.

The ages below are the ages the musicians are (or will turn at some point) in 2024:

• 1. Ringo Starr, 84, The Beatles: Though never accepted on same musical level as the other three members of the Fab Four, Ringo has done remarkably well for himself over the years. And he’s still touring and creating new music.
• 2. Paul Simon, 83: The first Simon and Garfunkel album hit the stores in 1964.
• 3. Bob Dylan, 83: His 40th studio album was released in 2023. He has no plans for retirement.
• 4. Brian Wilson, 82, Beach Boys: He started his career with the Beach Boys in 1961, but in recent years, much of his work has been as a solo artist.
• 5. Paul McCartney, 82, The Beatles: He says he has no intentions of ever hanging up his guitar.
• 6. Arthur Brown, 82, Crazy World of Arthur Brown: You would have had to have been a devoted AM radio listener in the late 1960s to remember this guy. He had one hit, “Fire” (1968).
• 7. Keith Richards, 81, Rolling Stones: Keith says the only things that he and Mick Jagger disagree about are “the band, the music and everything they do.”
• 8. Steve Miller, 81, Steve Miller Band: He’s the lone original member of the group still living.
• 9. Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones, 81: Mick has been the front man of the group since 1962. That’s 64 years for those counting at home.
• 10. Ray Davies, 80, Kinks: Ray and his brother, Dave, were the founding fathers of the legendary band. 

Steve Thought O’ The Day
If you have yet to sample a Pink Lemonade Kit-Kat bar, please do. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Every week is snack week for Steve.